Authorities Warn Emojis May Signal Gang Ties, Raising Concerns of Misguided Profiling and Deportations
U.S. law enforcement agencies are sounding alarms about the potential use of specific emojis as indicators of gang affiliation, particularly with Tren de Aragua (TdA), a Venezuelan organization. Internal documents reviewed by various sources suggest that agencies, including the FBI and Customs and Border Protection, have warned that certain emojis shared on social media could symbolize a connection to the gang, which has become a focal point in U.S. immigration discussions. Briefings and materials circulated among agencies from 2024 to 2025 highlight emojis such as trains, swords, ninjas, aliens, and strawberries as commonly associated with … Read more